WEEKEND PLANNER
It’s a diverse weekend of events coming your way. From festivals in the park, a powwow at Six Nations, to afternoon tea at the art gallery, there are lots of choices to keep everyone busy.
In Gage park
Celebrate the richness and diversity of Fracophone culture. Francofest 2017 is at Gage Park on Saturday and Sunday. The free festival includes more than 15 performances and artists, showcasing many different genres of visual art, music, dance as well as a circus-themed family zone providing entertainment, games and activities for children. Fair hours are Saturday, 1 to 11 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 11 p.m.
Multicultural McQuesten
The McQuesten neighbourhood’s Heritage Harvest multicultural celebration is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Helen’s Community Centre, 785 Britannia Ave. There will be an opening Elder blessing at 11 a.m., followed by a medicine wheel garden planting, presentations from Telling Tales Festival, live music, mural installation, garage sale, raffles and a barbecue.
On Barton
The Barton Village Festival is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Woodlands Park and on a car-free Barton Street East between Wentworth and Birch. The festival features several stages for local entertainment, children’s activities and vendors.
Powwow time
The Grand River Powwow is a celebration of building relationships and sharing cultural and social traditions. The powwow is on at Chiefswood Park, Six Nations of the Grand River, 254 Brant County Rd. in Ohsweken. Dancers and singers representing every major North American native group will be dressed in their cultural finest. The powwow showcases traditional and contemporary art and crafts. Gates open Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. Admission is $10 and $2 for children and a weekend pass is $15. For more information, go to the website grpowwow.ca It’s Carnival Day on Saturday at Wild Waterworks. Enjoy carnival games along with the slides, wave pool and splash pad from 4 to 8 p.m. Regular admission applies. wild-waterworks.com 905-547-6141. The Hamilton and Burlington Rose Society is hosting its 60th annual Rose Show Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Royal Botanical Gardens Centre, 680 Plains Rd. W. Visitor entrance is free with your RBG admission. Oakville’s annual Ribfest is on at Sheridan College, 1430 Trafalgar Rd., this weekend. Fill your day with live entertainment, vendors, a play zone and those sticky ribs. Hours are Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. On-site parking is $10. Free parking is available at Oakville Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Rd.
AGH
Art Gallery of Hamilton offers activities on Sundays. Enjoy afternoon tea on from 1 to 5 p.m.; Experimenting With Abstraction II starts at 10 a.m.; Family Fun Days for kids is always on the last Sunday of the month and includes hands-on activities from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and family minitours from 1 to 1:25 p.m. The AGH is located at 123 King St. W. Admission charges apply. 905-527-6610
Rides, runs, walk-a-thons
If you haven’t already signed up to help, you can still get out to one of these awareness and fundraising campaigns.
Autism Speaks Canada Walk at Dundas Driving Park on Saturday features performers, snacks, activities and a 3 km walk to raise funds and awareness in our community. Registration opens at 9 a.m. with opening ceremony at 10 a.m. and walk beginning at 10:15 a.m.
Run in the Park for Scleroderma is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Battlefield House Museum and Park, 77 Main St. W., Stoney Creek. Registration is $35. Help raise awareness in our community.
Ride Don’t Hide, Canada’s biggest bike ride for mental health is Sunday. Local events are happening in Hamilton, Halton, Haldimand-Norfolk and Niagara with routes ranging from 75 km to mini-routes for kids. Hamilton’s ride check-in opens 7 a.m. at McMaster University, David Braley Athletic Centre, 1280 Main St. W. Route start times are staggered. Register by visiting ridedonthide.com
Compiled by Jennifer Moore, The Hamilton Spectator